The Broom Tree Foundation's 2023/2024 Attainable Housing Pilot Project was a big success.
Cofounder Tamara Noordhof says the project, which wrapped up last September, was able to serve 21 women and their children in two suites located in Lacombe. All of those women were eventually transitioned into long-term affordable housing.
The project was completely funded by local donors and a grant provided by the Echo Lacombe Association. Local churches have also been instrumental to the success of the organization.
There were 333 days with zero vacancy in the units, however the Broom Tree was able to find alternative housing solutions for 24 additional women. Unfortunately, many other women had to be turned away.
Noordhof says they've been able to secure an additional one-bedroom unit in Lacombe, bringing the total number of available suites to three. As of September, there have been zero vacancies.
The non-profit organization celebrated its fifth anniversary this past January.
Noordhof wasn't surprised by the demand for their services.
"Honestly, out of COVID, we saw quite a few women and their children just showing up homeless in their cars," she said. "I think that in Lacombe, people don't necessarily think that there's homelessness because the face of home homelessness looks a little bit different than in the bigger cities. But the reality was, a lot of people were coming and we wanted to be able to fill that need."
The City of Lacombe recently released its Social Needs Assessment and Priorities, looking at four main areas including community action on mental health and addictions, community support for families, getting around and community access, and healthy homes and neighbourhoods. Noordhof says the Broom Tree Foundation is already meeting all of these objectives.
She notes that the organization's long-term goal is to build its own 12-unit Attainable Housing Project in Lacombe. They have made an offer on some land, which is subject to zoning. The non-profit has also secured some funding through the City's Request for Expressions of Interest and has applied for funding through Alberta's Affordable Housing Partnership Program.
The Broom Tree Foundation plans to engage in a capital campaign along with fundraising as the project progresses.
Noordhof mentioned that the organization serves over 400 women in the region, not including children or spouses.
"I just think that it's important that the community knows how great the need is and if they're willing to partner with the Broom Tree and get involved in any way, or willing to donate, it'll go to a very good cause."
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.
CentralAlbertaOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the CentralAlbertaOnline app.